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Overview
Learn to install, service and repair household and commercial appliances. You'll be a part of a dynamic industry that reflects the rapid technological revolution.
You will install, service and repair household and commercial appliances. In general, you will:
- diagnose concerns by interpreting the customer’s or user’s observations
- access manufacturers' service manuals and bulletins and use specialized tools and testing devices to locate the issue(s)
- maintain appliances by disassembling, cleaning internal parts, replacing faulty or worn parts, reassembling and testing
- communicate with customers or on-site managers for estimates and the use and care of their appliances
- prepare work orders, complete reports for billing, and maintain records for parts inventories and future service calls
You can complete an apprenticeship as an appliance service technician (three periods of apprenticeship education) or a commercial appliance service technician (two periods of apprenticeship education).
Appliance service technicians work in a diverse industry that offers many work environments, including homes, the hospitality industry, medical facilities, jails, grocery stores, bakeries, airports, remote camps and railway companies.
Commercial appliance service technicians work in many environments, including the hospitality industry, medical facilities, jails, grocery stores, bakeries, airports, remote camps and railway companies.
To work in this trade, certification is required. This means that you must either be a registered apprentice working under the guidance of a certified journeyperson or be an accredited journeyperson yourself.
Appliance service technicians are self-motivated and independent and enjoy assisting and interacting with people. This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy problem-solving and working with their hands.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- a detail-oriented approach to work, with a strong commitment to producing quality outcomes
- a love for solving problems and tackling complex challenges
- a keen interest in evolving technologies
- a customer service-oriented mindset, with a willingness to help and support customers
- good mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity
- physical strength, stamina and the ability to lift heavy objects weighing over 25 kilograms
- a strong commitment to health and safety protocols
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded a diploma (General Appliance Service Technician) or certificate (Appliance Service Technician - Commercial Appliance Service Technician) in addition to journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Careers and opportunities
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 22310, 22311, 22312, 70012, 72011, 72014, 72200, 72201, 72204, 72205, 72421, 73200, 94201.
Apprenticeship training
The term of apprenticeship for an Appliance Service Technician is three years (three 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training each year and eight weeks of classroom instruction at SAIT each year.
Year 1 | Period 1
You will start by learning standard workplace safety, equipment and materials. You will then learn electricity, electronics, conductors, insulators, codes, mechanical and gas, as well as alternating current fundamentals.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 2 | Period 2
You will learn about alternating current applications, appliance components, appliance operating principles and appliance troubleshooting.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 3 | Period 3
You will learn refrigeration and refrigeration components, air conditioning appliances, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and system component replacement.
Training length: 8 weeks
The term of apprenticeship for a Commercial Appliance Service Technician is two years (two 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training each year and eight weeks of classroom instruction at SAIT in each of the first two years.
Year 1 | Period 1
You will start by learning standard workplace safety, equipment and materials. You will then learn electricity, electronics, conductors, insulators, codes, mechanical and gas, as well as alternating current fundamentals.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 2 | Period 2
You will learn about alternating current applications, appliance components, appliance operating principles and appliance troubleshooting.
Training length: 8 weeks
Apprenticeship education performance
To succeed in apprenticeship education, you must pass each section of the course and the AIT exam.
The passing grade for each section in a course is 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam and the interprovincial qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
View Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training procedures
Training pathways
You can earn your journeyperson designation in the following way.
The traditional training pathway begins with finding a job with an employer willing to indenture you as an apprentice. Once you are an apprentice, you will alternate between on-the-job training and educational periods.
You must apply for an apprenticeship through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training before attending your first education period at SAIT.
Admission requirements
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 20-2
- Math 20-3
- Science 10
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended requirements
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 30 OR Chemistry 30 OR Science 30
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
MyTradeSecrets
Once you have begun working as an apprentice, you can attend SAIT to complete your technical training.
You'll register for technical training at SAIT on MyTradeSecrets or you can register by phone.
How to registerAvailable intakes
Costs
2024/25 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.
Appliance Service Technician
Commercial Appliance Service Technician
Books or modules, along with other items for classes, are approximately $600 per period.
It's recommended you don't purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes, and they cannot be returned to the Bookstore.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
2023/24 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective until June 30, 2024.
Funding options for apprentices
Apprentices get to learn while they earn, but there are still costs to consider. Many resources are available at SAIT and federally to help support apprentices.
Financial aidInformation sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact
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Apprenticeship training and registration
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